Fan Mail

Zoe arrives at North Central

Free at last! Zoe at Devil Dog Ranch

Devil dog-in-training (with my Zazu)

Zoë
Zoë is doing so well! She is finally adapting to the new environment and she seems to be herself as I've seen her with Zazu and Ziggy.
It makes me really happy to see her this way. Zoë has been such a sweetheart. She is so precious and wonderful.
~ Joy

Hi Marsha, It is so nice to hear from you. I've attached some pictures for you to see how much she has grown. Zoe has just graduated from her Obedience Class and has learned so much.
I hope all is well with you, Zazu and Ziggy.
~ Joy

Hi Marsha, I wanted to drop a line to say hello and give you an update on Zoë. It has been almost 6 months now since we’ve adopted her and she has been the best addition to our family. As you may be aware, Noel and I have been married for 8 months now and she is definitely being treated like our very own daughter. We currently do not have kids, so you can imagine she is one spoiled baby. Zoë is a very happy and healthy dog. She has grown tremendously and now weighs 50 pounds and also a very energetic dog. She loves to go out and play as well as run around the house like a “mad dog”. She torpedoes in and out of the house and through the backyard.
~ Love, Joy

Spikey at North Central shelter

Ahhhh! This is more like it!

Spikey
Spikey was dumped at the shelter by his owner and was really on his last day when Ben and Pauli came to meet him after seeing this photo on the Internet. They had been looking for a playmate for Sadie, their Maltese, who didn't always love other dogs...

It was great that we got to meet you today right after arranging to adopt Spikey! I am so glad we adopted him. My husband had doubts--about a terrier, about such a young dog, about a dog who sheds--but I am quite sure it will be wonderful.

I told my friend who came with me to the shelter yesterday that I finally figured out who Spikey reminds me of: "Tramp" from LADY AND THE TRAMP! She said, "Yes! I knew he was reminding me of some cartoon dog!" Then when I got home I realized that our rescue Maltese here is a purebred. We call her Sadie but her AKC name is..."Lady." Sadie had a lot of neglect and was very withdrawn. She barked our old boy Maltese into a corner when she arrived and he stayed away. But I don't think Spikey, with all his energy and joy, will take that. I think he's going to pull her out of her shell, and I think it will be great for both of them.

3-13-02: Spikey is going to college...taking obedience training at Pierce College extension. He is the best one in the class. Of course, I am at the other end of the leash getting my training as well. And Spikey definitely picks things up faster than I do.

Ben & Pauli with Sadie & Spikey

UPDATE - Sadie has really come out since Spikey has been around. My sons could not believe it, but she actually initiates play now, or as much play as she knows how to do, which means a lot of barking-at and running-toward-and-then-away-from Spikey! Still, it is more life than we've seen from her hitherto. Anyway, I thought I was looking for another Maltese, but here I am, Spikey's Mom! Spikey is in my lap right now, sleeping. He just loves to be in my lap when I'm at the computer.
I can't tell you how much I love this dog!
~ Pauli

Porter
Well, Porter is a dream - smart, housbroken, deliberate as his namesake. I am in love, and of course Kasha is also beginning to see his charm. I give them equal attention, hear odd noises coming from other rooms and can find him calmly chewing on something he should not be chewing on. He seems to have had a kind, patient owner, and has a large vocabulary, defers to Kash, with a floor full of toys he can pick out the ball if I ask him to, he knows his name and is healing well - I could go on and on...
xx
Diane

Sally with her Shiba Inu, Nina (left) and newly
adopted North Central boy, Kobe (right).

Kobe
I just wanted to give you on update on Kobe. We've been going to the park and on walks on a daily basis and he seems to really enjoy it. Kobe and Nina were playing with 5 dogs at the dog park yesterday, which was really fun to watch. He seems to be picking up Nina's personality.... he's much more vocal, active, and playful. He's also becoming really bonded with my husband. He seems to like me just fine, but I think he likes Joe more. Joe has been taking Kobe with him to run errands, so when Joe leaves without Kobe, Kobe whines a lot. He's also a very fast learner. He now answers to his name and I've taught him to sit. We're now working on the command down and stay. For the last couple of days, Nina will wait by the door if Kobe has left with my husband. She seems to be missing him. As soon as he gets home, they'll immediately start playing. They're also starting to pick up toys, walk over to each other to initiate the other to chase them. It's the funniest thing to watch.
~ Sally Diaz

Harry and his new gal-pal, Mahtowin

Harry
Harry seems to be happy here. He runs circles around Mahtowin. He has a lot of energy and wakes up very early. (which is better than an alarm clock) Sometimes he startles Mahtowin (blind dog) so I attached a little jingle bell (like a cat) to his collar so she can hear him approach. This morning after playing for a while, they were cuddled up in the living room together. He is so sweet.
Thanks again. - Michelle Hagemeyer

Before

Cookie was a beauty, but her coat was
SO matted she needed to be shaved down...

After

...OH MY GAWD!!

At home with Ed & Adele

Cookie
This sweeter-than-pie Chow girl (originally named "Lucky") was dumped at North Central by her owner. No one would adopt her because her coat was so matted and she was so scared - she just hid in the corner. I scooped her up and brought her home hoping that someone would be able to see past the ridiculous haircut she had gotten! I'm thrilled to report that Cookie got the GREATEST home with Ed and Adele, an absolutely lovely couple who had recently lost their beloved American Eskimo Dog. Adele reports that Cookie fit in seamlessly - she is quiet, affectionate, housetrained, walks perfectly on leash, and loves every dog and human she encounters. A hidden talent has emerged! Cookie fetches and retrieves tennis balls - tossing them at your feet with machine-like precision!! Adele has promised to send photos when her coat grows back in.
Now she really IS *Lucky*!

Dewey
My husband, Jesse, and I adopted this adorable Beagle mix, Dewey, at the end of June. It is the most wonderful thing we have done. He is the sweetest, most playful dog, and we have had the best time with him. He loves riding in the car (he sits in the back in his canine seatbelt and goes to sleep), so we have taken him everywhere! The attached picture with us was taken on Catalina Island. (He had a blast on the boat ride!) He loves other dogs, and they all respond to him, even dogs who don't normally like to play. Adopting him was the greatest! Also, the people working at the North Central Animal Shelter were wonderful. They were extremely knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Thank you for this website. We weren't sure where to start looking to adopt a dog, and a friend told us about this site. We fell in love with most of the dogs pictured, and decided to go look for a pet. Dewey wasn't pictured, but once we saw him at the shelter, we knew he had to become part of our family. Thank you so much!!!
~ Meryl Berdinka